Indigenous – British Columbia NationTalkhttp://bc.nationtalk.ca
Thu, 21 Mar 2019 17:33:26 +0000en-UShourly188512734Nicola Valley First Nations, Province sign agreement to bolster regional prosperity, advance economic partnershiphttp://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/nicola-valley-first-nations-province-sign-agreement-to-bolster-regional-prosperity-advance-economic-partnership
Wed, 20 Mar 2019 21:32:52 +0000http://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/nicola-valley-first-nations-province-sign-agreement-to-bolster-regional-prosperity-advance-economic-partnershipMarch 20, 2019 MERRITT – The five Nicola Valley First Nations and the Province of British Columbia are committing to work together on regional economic development as the Nations advance their plans for the old Merritt visitor centre lands at Gateway 286. Premier John Horgan and the Nicola Chiefs affirmed this commitment by signing a […]

MERRITT – The five Nicola Valley First Nations and the Province of British Columbia are committing to work together on regional economic development as the Nations advance their plans for the old Merritt visitor centre lands at Gateway 286.

Premier John Horgan and the Nicola Chiefs affirmed this commitment by signing a protocol agreement on March 20, 2019, in Coldwater, focused on supporting economic opportunities.

“Working with the Province and our neighbouring Nations gives us unity and strength to work towards improving prosperity for our region,” said Chief Aaron Sumexheltza, Lower Nicola Indian Band. “This is another step towards implementing positive economic change for all of our members and Nicola Valley residents.”

In recent years, the Nicola First Nations have worked together and with the Province on specific economic and environmental issues, including a March 2018 memorandum of understanding to collaboratively manage the Nicola Watershed.

“The government-to-government agreement with the Nicola Chiefs is a result of their hard work and commitment to foster economic growth and opportunities for their communities, and the entire region,” said Premier Horgan. “Our government will continue to work in partnership with First Nations to create prosperity in every part of the province, and make life better for everyone in B.C. — now and into the future.”

The protocol is another example of how B.C. is working with and supporting First Nations in new ways to support economic growth in the Nicola Valley. In the Province’s Budget 2019, it was announced that starting in April 2019, almost $100 million per year in gaming revenue will be shared with First Nations. This means every First Nation community in the province is estimated to be eligible for revenue in the range of about $250,000 to $2 million annually to support community priorities determined by the First Nations themselves.

The Nations’ application to acquire the lands necessary for the Gateway 286 project is currently moving through a decision-making process by the Province that will include an assessment and technical review, as well as consultation with neighbouring First Nations and stakeholder engagement. The process will be prioritized through the protocol. Should the acquisition and transfer of the lands to the Nicola First Nations for the Gateway 286 project proceed, the Province is committed to supporting the successful development of the project, which will benefit the region as a whole.

Quotes:

Chief Lee Spahan, Coldwater Indian Band —

“It is an honour to be working with the other four Bands. It has been a long journey to get here. We are happy to finally see some traction and I feel this will help turn things around in our valley. We are happy that the Province is supporting us in this endeavour.”

Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation —

“Sharing in long-term revenues and supporting the Nations’ goals for other economic development opportunities, such as their aspirations for the Gateway project, will help build strong and prosperous First Nations communities in the Nicola Valley, benefiting members of the Nations and the region as a whole.”

“Shared prosperity is a cornerstone to building and maintaining strong and stable economies in First Nations and rural communities. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Chiefs and First Nations in the Nicola Valley on ways to grow the local economy and how we can, together, take steps towards reconciliation.”

Quick Facts:

The five Nicola Valley First Nations are the Coldwater Indian Band, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Shackan Indian Band and Upper Nicola Indian Band.

The property at the Gateway 286 exit is at the junction of highways 5 and 97C, just outside of Merritt. This is the former site of the Merritt visitor centre.

]]>27297Federal government invests in new centre for Indigenous law and reconciliation at UVichttp://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/federal-government-invests-in-new-centre-for-indigenous-law-and-reconciliation-at-uvic
Wed, 20 Mar 2019 21:19:32 +0000http://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/federal-government-invests-in-new-centre-for-indigenous-law-and-reconciliation-at-uvicMarch 19, 2019 The construction of a national centre for Indigenous law and reconciliation at the University of Victoria received major funding support today with the federal government’s announcement of $9.1 million for the transformative project. This national centre of excellence for the study and understanding of Indigenous laws will house the world’s first joint […]

The construction of a national centre for Indigenous law and reconciliation at the University of Victoria received major funding support today with the federal government’s announcement of $9.1 million for the transformative project.

This national centre of excellence for the study and understanding of Indigenous laws will house the world’s first joint degree in Indigenous legal orders and Canadian common law (JD/JID), launched at UVic last September. The design of the building will reflect modern and traditional values of the Coast Salish peoples, welcoming students, academics and community members from all nations for engagement, debate and public education.

Budget 2019 states the federal government will contribute the funds over three years starting in 2019/20 to support the construction of “an Indigenous Legal Lodge at the University of Victoria, a leader in this field.”

“We are grateful to the federal government for its support of the University of Victoria and this national centre for Indigenous law which will play a vital role in helping to grow a more just and inclusive Canada—socially, economically and legally,” says UVic President Jamie Cassels. “This learning and research centre and UVic’s Indigenous law degree program are part of UVic’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Report and Calls to Action to establish Indigenous law institutes for the development, use and understanding of Indigenous laws.”

The centre will also house the Indigenous Law Research Unit (ILRU), which is a world leader in the study and application of Indigenous law. ILRU has partnered with over 50 Indigenous communities across Canada on legal research questions related to lands, water, governance, citizenship, gender and human rights, harms and injuries, and child welfare, and works with institutions across the globe to revitalize and rebuild Indigenous legal orders.

“Figuratively and literally, this commitment will enable us to build a strong, stable foundation from which to teach and study Indigenous law as one of the great legal traditions of the world,” says Val Napoleon, director of the ILRU and the JD/JID program.

UVic is committed to continuing its work with other institutions to share knowledge, curriculum and course materials to help them develop their own versions of the JID/JD and ILRU.

The centre, to be built as an addition to the current UVic law building, will be designed to reflect and honour the long-standing relationships between the law school and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples. It will include public lecture theatres, faculty and staff offices, an Elders’ room and spaces for gathering, ceremony, and sharing of histories and knowledge.

The building’s state-of-the-art digital capabilities will enable students to connect with their home territories and allow communities to share their legal traditions with one another. It will also allow UVic to host conferences, public workshops, research and partnerships for faculty, students and visitors. Planning for the building is in the early concept stage.

The development and 2018 launch of the JD/JID program relied on consultations with and support from a wide range of stakeholders across Canada. The BC government invested $2.5 million in the program’s operating costs in Budget 2018. Also last year, Vancity contributed $1 million and the McConnell Foundation donated $500,000.

]]>27295TRU: Workshops blast stereotypes about Indigenous peopleshttp://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/tru-workshops-blast-stereotypes-about-indigenous-peoples
Wed, 20 Mar 2019 21:08:50 +0000http://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/tru-workshops-blast-stereotypes-about-indigenous-peoplesMarch 19, 2019 Before coming to TRU, Richard Abankwa’s version of Indigenous people in Canada was one of stereotypes, misconception and untruths. But after going to workshops for new international students, that all changed. “I really got to learn that they were here first and they were here far, far, far longer than anybody else. […]

Before coming to TRU, Richard Abankwa’s version of Indigenous people in Canada was one of stereotypes, misconception and untruths. But after going to workshops for new international students, that all changed.

“I really got to learn that they were here first and they were here far, far, far longer than anybody else. I learned that they didn’t migrate from India like I thought, that they didn’t come from anywhere; they were here first,” said Abankwa of the workshops held during orientation week. He arrived in 2016 from Ghana to do a Master of Business Administration, and one day hopes to use his degree to go into business for himself.

Those workshops and similar ones are part of TRU World’s efforts to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action as they apply to newcomers. The efforts are also part of TRU’s overall efforts through its Coyote Project.

Among other things, orientation introduces new arrivals to elders, the territorial acknowledgement, an explanation for the acknowledgement and a historical overview of this country’s first people. A drumming workshop also gave Abankwa the opportunity to learn about the instrument itself, how to play it, the cultural significance, and to compare the instrument to those back home.

“I didn’t know the Indigenous people were going to teach us how we should live life, that we should always extend a helping hand whenever someone else is in need,” Abankwa said. “The person doesn’t have to be black like me, doesn’t have to be white, doesn’t have to be brown. We are all the same human beings, but different colours. We are all the same people.”

So moved by these learnings, he’s shared them with family and friends in the hopes of making a difference in Ghana, working from the bottom up.

“You build a nation by starting with the family. If our family sets an example in our neighbourhood by acting as one and showing peace and love toward one another, the other people around the community may copy us. Then that sense of community will lead into the territories, and the territories will lead into the whole country. My mom said, “‘Wow, you’re really learning a lot in Canada,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, you brought me here to learn, so I’m learning.’”

Some of TRU’s World’s other indigenization efforts include exchange partnerships, field trips, cultural events and immersive short-term stays.

Exchange partnerships (some examples)

Through an informal exchange, Indigenous students from Australia’s University of Tasmania and University of Sydney spent part of February 2019 in Kamloops, where they learned from local Indigenous students, elders, educators and the community.

The visitors to Canada learned about Indigenous resilience, land rights, history, storytelling, language and traditions. They also participated in a workshop about Knowledge Makers, an Indigenous undergraduate research program at TRU.

In the summer of 2018, a TRU elder and a student visited Australia to share their cultural and historical perspectives, returning with observations of their own.

In fall 2018, a nursing faculty member and three Indigenous students did an Indigenous cultural exchange at the Universidad Intercultural del Estado De Mexico, in San Felipe del Progresso, Mexico. There, they shared TRU’s experiences with reclamation, revitalization of traditional healing practices and the relationship between reconciliation and traditional healing.

TRU LEAP

Organizers of the activities-based Leadership Experience and Activity Program (LEAP) weave Indigenous events, themes and context into the schedule when possible. The Kamloopa Powwow is among the summer fixtures and Adams River salmon run in October is an opportunity to explain the importance of the fish to Indigenous people, from food and symbolic perspectives.

Future trips to Hat Creek Ranch near Ashcroft could include Indigenous components, while other trips could include teachings from Indigenous elders and students.

“My goal for 2019 is to experiment with including Indigenous elements in the LEAP programming,” said LEAP Coordinator Jillian Folk. “If we are excluding Indigenous elements and perspectives from our institutions, then we are not presenting a Canadian cultural experience, but really a ‘Western’ one.”

IDays

TRU World’s annual celebration of international culture, diversity, ideas and research includes a variety of Indigenous events, from hands-on workshops to research and guest speakers. A number of events are preceded by a territorial acknowledgement and elder blessing.

Immersion and short-stay students

Each year, 900–1,000 people come to TRU for short-term training and summer immersion, with stays lasting two weeks to three months. During their time here, they hear at least one version of the story Abankwa heard.

“Every short-term student has a three-hour hour course on Indigenous culture,” said TRU World Director, Administration and CFO, TRU World Global Operations Larry Peatt. “They have the opportunity to make a dream catcher, while the facilitator talks further about Indigenous culture.”

Going far by including others

As TRU strives to be inclusive and pursue the right things in life, we demonstrate how in time, individuals, organizations, communities and countries can become bigger and better versions of themselves.

Abankwa believes TRU is on the right path.

“There’s an African saying that if you want to go far, you go with someone; but if you want to go fast, you go alone,” he said. “There’s a difference between you going fast, and you going far.”

StrikePoint Gold Inc. (SKP:TSX.V)(STKXF:OTCQB) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Willoughby Property from Sojourn Exploration. The property is situated about 30 kilometers east of Stewart, British Columbia, and 20 kilometers northeast of StrikePoint’s Porter Property.

StrikePoint CEO, Shawn Khunkhun comments “Acquiring Willoughby is another major milestone for StrikePoint. New geological interpretations in the area, specifically the adjacent Red Mountain deposit, which is subject to a $45 million dollar take over bid by Ascot Resources (AOT:TSX.V) usher in an era for new discovery throughout the golden triangle. StrikePoint shareholders are well positioned with 2 high grade precious metal properties within a direct shipping lane to Ascot’s Premiere Mine. We look forward to a future of growing our resource base through exploration and acquisitions.”

Key factors at Willoughby include:

4,625 meters of diamond drilling completed on the property in the early 1990’s which defined mineralization over a one-kilometer strike length.

This trend remains open on either end, and recent deglaciation has exposed prospective ground that would have been inaccessible to previous explorers.

Historic drill results have included 20.5 meters grading 24.99 grams per tonne gold and 184.22 grams per tonne silver, and 11.7 meters grading 40.11 grams per tonne gold and 109 grams per tonne silver, both from the North Zone target.

13.0 meters grading 13.37 grams per tonne gold and 63.43 grams per tonne silver drilled in the Main Zone target.

Additional five target zones on the property have all returned significant gold and silver grades in drill core or channel samples at surface.

The site is “drill ready” and serviceable via our existing camp at the Porter Project. Exploration permits are underway, having been started by the previous property owners.

The closest nearby analogue to Willoughby is the Red Mountain deposit located 7 kilometers to the west. Red Mountain has a NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 1,827,900 tonnes of measured resources grading 8.92 grams per tonne gold, 943,400 tonnes of indicated resources grading 5.95 grams per tonne gold for a total of 704,600 ounces gold combined (June 2018 Resource Update; Arsenault / Hamilton). Like Red Mountain, mineralization is focused along the contact with Jurassic-aged Goldslide intrusive rocks. Mineralization hosted on the adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization hosted on the Willoughby Property. The Company is not able to verify the results of the Red Mountain deposit and there can be no assurances that the Company will obtain similar results from exploration activities on the Willoughby property.

Strengthening Regional Mineral Inventory

The acquisition of the Willoughby Property compliments the Porter Project and other ground staked in 2018 by strengthening the known mineral inventory and providing significant exploration upside all within a localized and accessible area of British Columbia.

StrikePoint’s Porter Project hosts a historical resource with 394,700 tonnes grading 868 grams per tonne silver in the Indicated category for a total of 11 million ounces of silver. The mineral reserve cited above is presented as a historical estimate and uses historical terminology which does not conform to current NI 43-101 standards. This historical estimate is believed to be based on reasonable assumptions, and neither the company nor its qualified person has any reason to contest the relevance and reliability of the historical estimate. However, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the historical estimates are believed to be based on reasonable assumptions, they were calculated prior to the implementation of National Instrument 43-101. These historical estimates do not meet current standards as defined under sections 1.2 and 1.3 of NI 43-101; consequently, the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

The 2018 drilling campaign proved the grades used in the historic resource as well as making discoveries along neighboring vein systems and adding potential for resource growth in the future. In other areas of the land portfolio, our technical team identified a 200-meter long polymetallic vein on the Glacier Creek Property, significant propylitic alteration on the Boom Property and several Gold-Silver anomalies on the Big Nunataq.

The Willoughby Property provides an opportunity for exploration without significantly expanding established camp infrastructure or other overhead costs.

Terms of Acquisition

Strikepoint will hold 100% of the Willoughby Property for an $85,000 cash payment and issuance of 3,000,000 common shares. Sojourn Exploration will retain a 1.5% Net Smelter Return, although this can be reduced by 0.5% for an additional $1,000,000 cash payment.

About the Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle is an area of northwestern British Columbia that has seen extensive historic mining and prospecting activity, and has recently been the site of modern discoveries, including the Premier Gold, Snip and Eskay Creek Mines. The area has seen a resurgence in infrastructure investment which supports exploration activities, including upgraded transmission lines supplying clean, affordable and reliable hydroelectric power. Other recent improvements include highway upgrades, new ocean port infrastructure at the ice-free port of Stewart and the commissioning of three hydroelectric facilities.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andy Randell PGeo. who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

StrikePoint Gold is a well-financed gold exploration and development company. The company controls a portfolio of gold properties in the Yukon and throughout Canada.

]]>27269Dunnedin Defines Potential Diamond Source Target Area at Kahuna Project, Nunavuthttp://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/dunnedin-defines-potential-diamond-source-target-area-at-kahuna-project-nunavut
Wed, 20 Mar 2019 15:16:39 +0000http://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/dunnedin-defines-potential-diamond-source-target-area-at-kahuna-project-nunavutMarch 20, 2019 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Dunnedin Ventures Inc. (the “Company” or “Dunnedin”) (TSX-V: DVI) today announced results from 109 till samples collected in the Josephine Target Area (JTA) during the fall of 2018. Results have defined a discrete target area for potential diamond sources of 3 km2 at the head of the JTA, a […]

]]>March 20, 2019 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Dunnedin Ventures Inc. (the “Company” or “Dunnedin”) (TSX-V: DVI) today announced results from 109 till samples collected in the Josephine Target Area (JTA) during the fall of 2018. Results have defined a discrete target area for potential diamond sources of 3 km2 at the head of the JTA, a trend of abundant high-quality diamond indicator minerals (DIM) for which no source is known yet. Although the focus of Dunnedin’s near-term exploration plans will be on its recently expanded portfolio of large-scale copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA (see news releases of November 29, 2018 and March 4, 2019), the Company’s next diamond-focused exploration campaign will be aimed at the discovery of kimberlite pipes within this newly defined area.

The Company collected approximately 750 till samples in the JTA in the fall of 2018, of which 109 priority samples have been analysed by CF Mineral Research Ltd. (“CFM”) laboratory in Kelowna, BC. Superior DIM chemistry in these recent results confirms that the JTA is the most prospective area on the Kahuna property to host significantly diamondiferous kimberlite (see Figure 1). A summary of these select till results are as follows:

Ranked results from 109 priority samples have constrained the source of DIMs to a 3 km2 area at the northwest up-ice end of the JTA

The discreet trend of abundant of high-quality DIMs in the JTA have led to a target area with no known diamond sources yet

Individual sites having unique DIM abundance and chemistry, but internal to the JTA trend, are also considered priority targets

Priority targets will be tested with core drilling with program and budget to be determined in early 2019

“The Josephine Target Area is the most intriguing and prospective area on the Kahuna project,” said Claudia Tornquist, President of Dunnedin. “We believe it has exceptional potential for the discovery of one or several large diamond sources. With the help of our advisor, diamond expert Dr. Chuck Fipke, we have systematically analysed a large number of samples across our property over the course of four years to vector in on new diamond-bearing kimberlites. Last year’s exploration program and this latest batch of samples was a big step forward as we now have narrowed down our search for new diamond-bearing kimberlites to a small area of only 1,500 m by 2,250 metres. We are pleased that the recent sample results show a clear cut-off of the indicator mineral train, signifying that we are now close to the one or more diamond sources. The next step will be to define discreet drill pipe-like targets for our next exploration program.”

Till samples collected on the Kahuna property are shipped to the CF Mineral Research Ltd. (“CFM”) laboratory in Kelowna, BC for processing and analysis. Using a scanning electron microprobe (“SEM”), CFM employs proprietary mineral chemistry filters and classification criteria to determine diamond indicator minerals (“DIM”), which distinguish indicator minerals that formed with diamonds from those just associated with kimberlite host rocks (“KIM”). Sample sites are subsequently ranked from 1 (low priority) to 10 (high priority) based on both the quantity and quality of DIMs and quantity of KIMs in each sample. CFM operates using reference standards, internal quality assurance protocols, security and operating procedures for processing, recovery and reporting of results. The CFM laboratory is accredited and audited for international quality standards through the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025:2005, which includes ISO 9001:2015 specifications.

Jeff Ward, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

Dunnedin Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: DVI) is advancing its 100% owned Kahuna Diamond Project in Nunavut, and copper porphyry projects in British Columbia and Arizona, USA. The Kahuna Project hosts a high-grade, near surface inferred diamond resource and numerous kimberlite targets. The Company is working with its advisor and largest shareholder Dr. Chuck Fipke to define and prioritize drill targets based on an extensive historic data set, and diamonds and indicator minerals recovered from a series of kimberlite and till samples collected by Dunnedin over four seasons of field work.

Dunnedin also holds 100% interests in the Trapper Porphyry Project in the northern Golden Triangle region of British Columbia, and the MPD Project in south-central British Columbia near Princeton. The Trapper and MPD Projects are interpreted to overlie gold-rich copper porphyry systems having surface geochemical, geophysical and regional alteration signatures of considerable size. In March 2019, Dunnedin entered into a letter of intent to acquire 100% of the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA.

Based in Vancouver, Dunnedin is part of the Discovery Group of companies led by John Robins, a mining entrepreneur who founded and chaired of Kaminak Gold which Goldcorp acquired for $520 million . Dunnedin’s management team has significant capital market strength and is backed by an experienced team of exploration experts with a track record of discovery.

VANCOUVER – The Treaty Commission acknowledges the federal government for eliminating outstanding treaty negotiations loans in the Budget 2019: Investing in the Middle Class to Grow Canada’s Economy.

“The Treaty Commission has long advocated for the elimination of loans in treaty negotiations. It is encouraging to see this issue finally being addressed and demonstrates real progress towards reconciliation,” said Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane.

Treaty loan elimination, contribution-only funding, Indigenous rights recognition, and implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People together make for an entirely new treaty negotiations process. These changes renew commitment to the made-in-BC treaty negotiations process as the best mechanism to advance reconciliation, Indigenous self-government, and self-determination. Modern treaty First Nations bring prosperity to regions throughout BC will benefit from loan elimination and repayment.

“Negotiations support funding for treaty negotiations never should have been in the form of loans,” said Chief Commissioner Haldane. “This is a debt that never should have accumulated in a process of rights recognition.”

The Treaty Commission looks forward to working with First Nations, the federal government, and the provincial government to facilitate this momentous commitment.

Quick Facts

In the 2018 budget, the federal government announced that going forward it would replace loans with non-repayable contribution funding for First Nations participating in modern treaty negotiations. This change commenced April 2018.

The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for overseeing treaty negotiations among the governments of Canada, BC and First Nations in BC. It has three roles: facilitation, funding, and public information and education. Visit www.bctreaty.ca to learn more about the Treaty Commission.

“To support Indigenous communities’ ability to invest in their own priorities, and to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to recognizing Indigenous rights, Budget 2019 proposes funding of $1.4 billion over seven years starting in 2018–19, to forgive all outstanding comprehensive claim negotiation loans and to reimburse Indigenous governments that have already repaid these loans. Forgiving and reimbursing loans will allow more than 200 Indigenous communities to reinvest in their priorities like governance, infrastructure and economic development that will increase health and well-being for all community members.”

The First Nations Summit has always maintained that First Nations should not have to borrow money from the very governments who wrongfully took all Indigenous lands in BC in the colonial era …without any notice, consent or agreement.

Treaty negotiation debt has left First Nations at a significant financial and economic disadvantage. This debt has also had detrimental economic, social and political impacts on First Nations that have been working to resolve the outstanding land question in BC through treaty negotiations for decades.

Loans have been a large burden for First Nations that have concluded negotiations, have been an obstacle for those currently in negotiations and has been a huge barrier for First Nations wishing to enter into negotiations. We are very pleased that this significant economic burden for First Nations has finally been totally removed. This is a critical element in the advancement of reconciliation, especially for First Nations in British Columbia.

As one of the three Principals to treaty negotiations in BC, the First Nations Summit Executive will arrange for meetings with appropriate federal Ministers as soon as possible to discuss immediate implementation of today’s budget commitments.

-30-

For further information:

Grand Chief Edward John, FNS Political Executive:

778-772-8218

Robert Phillips, FNS Political Executive:

778-875-4463

Cheryl Casimer, FNS Political Executive:

778-875-2157

The First Nations Summit speaks on behalf of First Nations involved in treaty negotiations in British Columbia. The Summit is also a NGO in Special Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Further information on the First Nations Summit may be found at www.fns.bc.ca.

Over the last 18 months, government has implemented a number of changes to strengthen the regulatory framework for the oil and gas industry. Much of this work addresses concerns raised by the scientific panel.

Government actions to date include:

The BC Oil and Gas Commission has created a new process to make sure commission-regulated oil and gas dams in B.C. are operating with appropriate permits.

The commission has put in place new procedures to ensure all dams and water storage structures used in oil and gas development are properly licensed and safe for use.

In May 2018, government took action to address the growing number of inactive and orphaned well sites by passing Bill 15, amendments to the Oil and Gas Activities Act.

Longer term, the BC Oil and Gas Commission is working closely with Indigenous communities within Treaty 8 in developing culturally appropriate restoration practices. A pilot project is underway with Fort Nelson First Nations and there are discussions underway with Saulteau and Doig River.

The commission is also working with local First Nations within Treaty 8 on the installation of additional hydrometric stations that will assist in improving the Northeast water tool — a geographic-information-system-based hydrology tool used as part of the water-use decision process.

The commission and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources have consultation agreements with most Treaty 8 First Nations. Capacity funding is provided to First Nations to support them in their review of oil and gas activity applications.

As the report is highly technical, the ministry has developed a phased approach to implementing the scientific panel’s 97 recommendations. In May 2019, the government will release its short-term action plan, followed by its long-term action plan in December 2019.

The BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) Youth Representatives will be hosting a Youth Forum on March 29-31, 2019 at the Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport, 3099 Corvette Way, in Richmond, BC. The session is intended to bring together BC First Nations Youth to dialogue around priorities and strategic approaches with respect to advocating and advancing the well-being of youth, and to articulate these priorities to the BCAFN Youth Representatives to inform their work throughout the remainder of their tenures. Check the BCAFN website for the event agenda (to be updated by March 22, 2019) atwww.bcafn.ca.

BCAFN encourages youth delegates (suggested age range 19-29) from each of the (5) First Nations Health Authority Regions to register for this event. There are 40 rooms confirmed for youth from outside of the Richmond/Vancouver area. Delegates will be approved for travel reimbursement on a first come, first serve basis.

Travel Arrangements: BCAFN will cover travel costs for the youth delegates (aged 19-29) from each of the (5) First Nations Health Authority Regions to attend this event. Delegates will be approved for travel coverage on a first come, first serve basis. BCAFN will cover and make the travel and two-nights’ accommodation arrangements for registered youth attending the BCAFN Youth Forum, as well as meals and incidentals as per BCAFN travel claim policy.

First Nations Health Authority Regions

Interior (tan)

Fraser (blue)

Vancouver Coastal (yellow)

Vancouver Island (orange)

Northern (green)

Youth registrants have to provide the following information for travel and accommodation requirements:
(1) CompletedRegistrationFormincludinglegalnameforflightarrangementsifapplicable;and
(2) Confirmation that they are in possession of valid picture identification for flight and accommodation requirements (Identification CANNOT be expired).

Travel claim forms will be available at the forum for youth to fill out for reimbursement for applicable meals for travel days along with incidentals.

For more information: please visit our website at www.bcafn.ca or contact Samantha Seymour, BCAFN Administrative Support Worker by email (samantha.seymour@bcafn.ca) or phone (250.962.1603).

]]>27250Creating opportunity in Prince George with B.C.’s new poverty reduction strategyhttp://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/creating-opportunity-in-prince-george-with-b-c-s-new-poverty-reduction-strategy
Tue, 19 Mar 2019 22:46:00 +0000http://bc.nationtalk.ca/story/creating-opportunity-in-prince-george-with-b-c-s-new-poverty-reduction-strategyMarch 19, 2019 PRINCE GEORGE – An innovative Prince George program will provide training and create work opportunities, which are central to TogetherBC, the Province’s new poverty reduction strategy. “Willing and capable people who want to work find the confidence and the opportunity they need to reach their goals through programs, such as The First […]

PRINCE GEORGE – An innovative Prince George program will provide training and create work opportunities, which are central to TogetherBC, the Province’s new poverty reduction strategy.

“Willing and capable people who want to work find the confidence and the opportunity they need to reach their goals through programs, such as The First Peoples Hospitality Program,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “This is the kind of project that is at the heart of TogetherBC. It builds skills and supports people in their communities.”

The First Peoples Hospitality Program, run by LaKeCoRe Management & Training through WorkBC, is a 26-week program that provides students with 18 weeks of essential employability and occupational skills training, such as strategies for success, computer skills and hospitality operations training, as well as six weeks of on-the-job work experience with local industry partners. The students then have two weeks of followup and job-search support to prepare participants for employment in the hotel and hospitality sector in the Prince George region.

Up to 20 local young adults will receive a high standard of training in an industry that is part of the fabric of Prince George’s economy. The program has partnered with local hotels and inns to help ensure participants will receive satisfying job opportunities upon completing this intensive training program.

“The First Peoples Hospitality Program is focused on creating training opportunities for local Indigenous people who are not just looking for a job, but a career path that is fulfilling,” said Lawney Chabot, president, LaKeCoRe Management & Training. “Through this program, we are able to individualize training for each participant to make sure they are reaching their potential and on their way to sustainable local employment.”

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has committed approximately $196,000 in funding for this project through the Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) program. CEP funds projects that increase employability levels and share labour market information.

Darven Michell, a participant in The First Peoples Hospitality Program, said, “This program is giving me the confidence to get out there and find a stable and secure job, knowing that I have the skills I need to get a job that I am actually excited about.”

The project was announced during a followup announcement in Prince George about the Province’s first poverty reduction strategy, TogetherBC. British Columbia has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, yet the province still has a high rate of poverty, reflecting a deficit in regional economic development and unfair wages, in addition to a backlog of need for access to basic education and training skills.

“Community plays a major role in reducing poverty,” said Barbara Ward-Burkitt, executive director, Prince George Native Friendship Centre. “We need to make sure people have the supports and services they need here at home and ensure that they feel included and valued by their communities.”

Two guiding principles of TogetherBC are reconciliation and creating opportunity for people, especially those experiencing physical, social, financial and structural barriers. Government will continue to support projects that reflect these principles in Prince George and throughout the province.

Quick Facts:

TogetherBC: British Columbia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy is a roadmap to reduce overall poverty by 25% and cut child poverty in half over five years, using a 2016 baseline.

The strategy’s key priorities include the new B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit, increases to the minimum wage, ChildCareBC making child care more available and affordable, income assistance and disability assistance rate increases, and leveraging federal initiatives and supports.

TogetherBC is built on four guiding principles:

Affordability

Opportunity

Reconciliation

Social inclusion

Since 2012, the Community and Employer Partnerships program, through WorkBC, has helped over 1,675 job seekers benefit from work experience and has funded more than 300 projects throughout the province.

Two groups of eight to 10 participants will be accepted into the program.

The first group started training Nov. 26, 2018, and is scheduled to complete the program on April 5, 2019.

The second group will begin training April 15, 2019, and complete the program by Oct. 11, 2019.

The program must meet an 80% completion rate, as well as an 80% satisfaction rate with the project.